Livermore, CA – (September 25, 2017) – A community celebration of the arts sponsored by the Bothwell Arts Center, ArtWalk returns to downtown Livermore on Saturday, October 14, 2017. From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., works by over 150 artists can be enjoyed, as well as live music, cultural arts demonstrations, and crafts for children. The event offers a priceless opportunity for artists to interact with visitors as they explore a broad range of works, ranging from contemporary to classical, abstract to realism, pottery to jewelry and mixed media. Subject matter is equally broad, from floral to figurative and more. Unlike many other festivals, the streets in Livermore are kept open during ArtWalk and displays are clustered throughout downtown parks, sidewalks, galleries, wine bars, restaurants and shops. Residents and visitors can experience all downtown Livermore has to offer, while honoring art as the theme of the day.

New for 2017 will be cultural arts demonstrations on the Shea Homes stage at the Bankhead Plaza. Throughout the day, local groups will feature music and dance performers of all ages, such as African cultural group Cheza Nami, the Livermore American Indian Center, the Hawaiian Halau Makani Lani, and a demonstration of capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art with Giga Mundo of Arena Training Center. In addition, Livermorium Park and Lizzie Fountain at the corners of First Street and South Livermore Avenue will be filled with music. The Livermore Cultural Arts Council will offer free music at Livermorium Park with the Celtic sounds of Gabe Duffin and Friends, jazz combos and more, and the Livermore Drum Circle and Kindermusik, as well as arts and crafts projects for children, will be at Lizzie Fountain.

Hung on poles throughout the downtown area, 15 colorful hand-painted banners are already on display in advance of the event. These original works of art, painted by well-known local artists, are banners 30″ wide and 60″ long featuring an array of subjects and themes, expressed in a variety of visual styles. The banners, created using high quality acrylics, have been sealed with UV protectant clear sealant giving them maximum durability for indoor or outdoor use. All 15 banners are available for sale through online auction on EBay from now until October 14th. Proceeds support the Bothwell Arts Center. Visit http://ebay.to/2hfWDYg to see the entire collection, a map of locations and artists, or to make a bid.

ArtWalk involves the whole community. Members of the Disabled Veteran’s Painting Program will show their work at the Chamber of Commerce and will be available to explain their year-round activities. High school art from students in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District will be on display in the Bankhead lobby. Currently, the Gallery at the Bankhead is exhibiting “Livermore Paint Out: Historical Livermore and its Vineyards,” over 40 works by local artists featuring some of the landmarks and landscapes that make the City of Livermore distinctive. “Livermore Paint Out” will be on display through the end of October.

ArtWalk has been held annually in Livermore for the past 15 years and is now run exclusively by the Bothwell Arts Center. Operated by Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, the Bothwell is located at 2466 8th Street and has served as an arts incubator for more than a decade, offering affordable and rentable classroom, rehearsal, performance, event, and studio rental space for artists, musicians, actors and others with a cultural arts focus. ArtWalk, including the banner auction, serves as a key fundraiser for the Bothwell’s ongoing activities.

Information and maps for ArtWalk activities are available online at www.bothwell.lvpac.org.

MEDIA RELEASE
Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center
Bothwell Arts Center
Contact: Anne Giancola
(925) 447-2787 agiancola@lvpac.org